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Cirrhosis

Cirrhosis (scarring) of the liver has many causes, including chronic viral hepatitis (Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C), fatty liver disease (NASH and NAFLD), and excessive alcohol use. Whatever the cause, such scarring interferes with normal liver function, which includes such vital responsibilities as:

Regulating the composition of blood

Removing toxins from the blood

Processing and storing nutrients

Producing proteins

Metabolizing alcohol and many drugs.

Those with cirrhosis also have a higher risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma, a type of liver cancer, and liver failure leading to possible need for liver transplant.

Symptoms

Cirrhosis has two clinical stages, compensated and decompensated.

Compensated cirrhosis means that the liver is still managing to function despite partial scarring. Some people may experience no symptoms at this stage, while others may experience:

Fatigue or loss of energy

Weight loss or loss of appetite

Nausea

Abdominal pain

Spider angiomas: a red spot on the skin with tiny blood vessels radiating from it

Decompensated cirrhosis occurs as the scarring of the liver increases. Symptoms may include:

Jaundice: the yellowing of the skin and whites of the eye

Fluid buildup causing swelling in the legs or abdomen (ascites)

Itching, caused by the excessive bile products

Red, blotchy palms

In men, breast tissue growth and shrunken testicles

Easy bruising and excessive bleeding

Increased risk of infection

Mental confusion, irritability (encephalopathy) from a build-up of ammonia

Treatment

Living with cirrhosis requires lifestyle changes to slow the progress of the condition and reduce the risk of complications, including:

Quitting any alcohol use, even if it is not the cause of your cirrhosis

Limiting dietary salt and fat

Avoiding eating raw oysters and other raw shellfish that can transmit infections

Your doctor may recommend immunizations against hepatitis A and B, flu, and pneumonia

Patients will need to be regularly tested to gauge liver function as once the disease progresses to liver failure, the only course of treatment is a liver transplant.